Tales in Retail: Monique Lhuillier's Upper East Side Debut

Six weeks ago Monique Lhuillier opened her first New York flagship in a converted townhouse on 71st street on the Upper East Side and the next day she had over 40 appointments in the books — such is the life of a cult bridal designer. The 3,000 square foot space — formerly two separate stores and a private residence — has that beautiful jewel box aura that the bride-to-be craves. The store also houses Lhuillier's ready-to-wear collection and her collaborations with Waterford and will soon be home to her new line of footwear launching in the spring. Lhuillier calls the opening, "a big milestone in my career. I wanted to make sure the space felt private and residential. That when people walk in, they understand the world of Monique Lhuillier." Click through to enter Lhuillier's world.

Tales in Retail

Tales in Retail

Harper’s BAZAAR: Why was now the right time for your New York store, 12 years after the opening of the LA flagship?

Monique Lhuillier: I’ve always wanted to have a New York flagship, it just took a while for us to find the right location. In 2008, we were so close, we found a place that we loved but we decided to walk away from it and then the market crashed. It was a sign that it wasn’t the right time. Then, we started up the search again in 2010 and we found the space downstairs that had been a shoe store, then we found out that there was a gallery on the second floor and a residential space in the back. We combined the three and dropped the glass staircase.

Tales in Retail

Tales in Retail

HB: Like a lot of old New York buildings, did this one have some treasures?

ML: When we started breaking ceilings we realized that there were a lot of these parlors and there were 22-foot ceiling right here. So I thought, ‘this is perfect.’ I’ve always wanted more of a couture-like salon that feels like a residence and that’s what it is. My husband (Tom Bugbee) always says 'Sometimes if you have patience, things just work out.'